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William J. O'Rourke Jr.

FUNERAL HOME

Anthony Funeral & Cremation Chapels - Webster Chapel

1031 Ridge Road

Webster, New York

William O'Rourke Obituary

Name: Calling hours for William J. O'Rourke Jr.
Start: 2020-01-31T21:00:00.000Z
End: 2020-02-01T01:00:00.000Z
Location: Anthony Funeral & Cremation Chapels - Webster Chapel

William J. (Bill) O'Rourke, Jr.

Fairport - January 28, 2020.

Predeceased by his parents, William and Loretta O'Rourke. Bill is survived by his wife, Marsha Barber; children, Laura O'Rourke, Sarah O'Rourke (Robert Massey), and Erin O'Rourke (Matthew Harper); grandchildren, Colton and Reese Massey; brother, Thomas O'Rourke (Carol); and niece and nephews.

Bill was an educator and boys varsity basketball coach in the Webster Central School District for over forty years. Bill's love for basketball was lifelong and demonstrated through his numerous achievements. Bill was drafted to the New York Knicks after successful high school and college basketball careers. He was inducted into the Section V Basketball Hall of Fame and the Frontier Field Walk of Fame, had 468 wins, and two Section V championships. Bill will be remembered as a gentleman on and off the court.

Bill's family is ever grateful to the support shown by Kathy Doerner, RN, and all the doctors and nurses at Rochester General.

Friends may call Friday, January 31, from 4-8 PM at the funeral home (1031 Ridge Rd., Webster). A Funeral Mass will be held Saturday, February 1, 11 AM at St. John of Rochester Church, 8 Wickford Way, Fairport. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to a memorial scholarship in Bill's honor. Make checks payable to: Webster Central School District (WCSD), Care of William O'Rourke Jr. Memorial Fund and sent to: 119 South Avenue, Webster, NY 14580. To share a memory of William or send a condolence to the family visit www.anthonychapels.com.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Rochester Democrat And Chronicle from Jan. 28 to Jan. 30, 2020.

Memories and Condolences
for William O'Rourke

Sponsored by Anthony Funeral & Cremation Chapels - Webster Chapel.

18 Entries

Tom Palazzolo

February 8, 2022

I remember one game day. I was
driving myself and three other
players to Thomas for an "away"
game. The usual winter weather
was bad. Snow , ice, and frigid
temperatures.......We were running
late (ugh!), and by the time we pulled
into the Thomas parking lot, everybody
was already on the bus. EVERYBODY!!!

Darn (lol!)! Spurred on by my
instigating amigos, they INSISTED,
with absolutely NO other option,
that I do a "donut" with the car.
(if you´re from Webster, you know
what "donuts" are).

With butterflies in my stomach, and
mediocre driving in my past, I
figured "what could be so bad?"
After all, I WAS chauffeuring two
STARTERS in the car (John Fullerton
and Dave Wager). And two solid
substitute players (Dan Ferrara and
myself).

So....somehow I managed to pull
off two perfect 360 degree "donuts,"
one right by the stationary bus,
and, of course, the victorious
ENCORE....blowing right by the
bus again in the opposite direction!!!

We all climbed up the stairs of the
bus to muddled whispers and
laughs....
But nobody could hold back much
longer. The whole bus erupted in
laughter, with Mr.O´Rourke laughing
his "backside" off !!!

Thank the Blessed Mother

Todd Hahn

January 23, 2022

One time, when Bill and I were talking basketball," I said you were a great shooter in your day, but you weren't even the best shooter in your family. Tom was."
He laughed and agreed.
Wha a terrific guy.

Tom Palazzolo

February 8, 2020

During some troubled times in my
college years, I stopped off a couple of
times at the O'Rourkes, hoping they they
could give me some healing. Each time I
entered their home, it was like entering my
own home...comfortable, accepting, and warm.
I was always given good, upbeat, solid advice
(along with some delicious, ice cold cider).
Mr, O'Rourke and Dotty were wonderful!!!

I had the great opportunity to play for
Me. O'Rourke, but it wasn't until after I
srarted college and returned to Webster
for a Thomas home game, that his class,
sensitivity, and love really shone through.

My Mom had died of cancer a couple months
earlier. Needless to say, it was a difficult and
trying time for our family. After the big Ridgemen win,
I was exiting the gym in the main corner of the gym,
where most of the players, cheerleaders, and fans
filed out. It was absolutely packed. As we walked towards the doors, I heard a voice saying Tom! Tom!!
I turned to see Mr. O'Rourke trying to get my attention
amongst the dozens of people in-between us. I turned
and when I finally saw him, he said, Hey Tom. I was
so sorry to hear about your Mom.

Mr. O'Rourke taught a lot more than basketball.

Sue Frank

February 1, 2020

Having the privilege of having Bill as my Spanish teacher in his early career, I feel like my life has been made just a little bit better because he touched my heart with his kindness, humor and work ethics...my condolences to the entire family and I know heaven has gained an amazing angel...

Mike Latona

February 1, 2020

I spent eight lucky seasons covering Bill's basketball teams ... our weekly chats were usually lengthy, touching upon both basketball and life. I can still hear the warmth in his voice 30 years later; it was like chatting with my best buddy. I think he made everyone feel that way. Special people like Bill don't come around too often.

January 31, 2020

A wonderful educator & role model for all. Our daughters were enriched during Spanish class by his caring attitude. The McAlpin family.

January 31, 2020

When I was a teacher at RLT, I was lucky enough to have a classroom very near to Bill's. So every day I was blessed with his calm, upbeat, funny presence. In so many ways, both large and small, he made all of our lives better. After an open house one evening I commented that my mouth was so dry I could hardly speak. Bill mentioned that Life Savers helped alleviate that. So every year, on the day of our open house, there was a package of Life Savers in my faculty mailbox along with an encouraging note. This continued even after we were no longer in the same building. A small gesture but one that epitomized Bill's empathy and caring spirit. His sportsmanship as a coach is legendary. He was such a beautiful role model to his players, his students, and his fellow teachers.

Dick O'Toole

January 31, 2020

He was a true gentleman and a super basketball coach He touched the lives of many people not only in basketball but in ever day life He will be greatly missed by many people especially his family I enjoyed coaching against him knowing that your team was going to be playing against a well coached team I had the pleasure of coaching against both Bill and his late father both true gentlemen of the game there are many people who are better off because they were able to inter act will Bill

James & Sandi Brooks

January 31, 2020

To the O'Rourke family --- we are truly sorry for your loss. We would like to offer you and your family our deepest and most sincere condolences --- we remember Bill as a scholar, a great basketball player for SJFC and a fine gentleman!

Dr. James and Sandi Brooks

Todd Hahn

January 30, 2020

I was deeply saddened to read of Bill's passing in the paper this morning. I played high school and college basketball against him. He was an outstanding shooter and a tenacious competitor.
The students, athletes, and parents were very fortunate to have such a wonderful educator and coach working for and with them for 40 years. He was a good and decent man and a terrific representative of the Webster community.
My condolences to his wife and children and his brother,Tom.

Linda Chambery Halligan

January 30, 2020

So sorry to hear about Bill's passing. What a great neighborhood we all grew up in in Webster. Miss those days.

Kathy Cali

January 30, 2020

We are so sorry to hear of Bill's passing. The Cali Family has fond memories of living in the Beechwoods Neighborhood with him - and his lovely daughters babysitting our boys. Much love to all of you - and thinking of you

Victoria Hemiup

January 30, 2020

I am very thankful for the years that Coach O'Rourke coached my son John Dealey. Bill's kindness,
sportsmanship and genuine concern for his team members will long be remembered by each player as well as their parents. He was truly an inspiration to my son and I am sure to the sons of many parents. The world was a better place for him being here.
My deepest sympathies to the family.

Tom Lunn

January 30, 2020

I was a referee for over 20 years and officiated many Webster Thomas basketball games and always considered Coach O'Rourke a class act.
His teams played hard and left everything on the court. They played with respect for officials and displayed good sportsmanship, which was a true reflection of their coach. He will be sorely missed.

January 29, 2020

I taught at R.L. Thomas High School in Webster when Bill O'Rourke, Sr. was basketball coach and Bill, Jr. was a student and on the basketball team.

Two great gentlemen and role models.

Joan Baxter-Stone
Rancho Mirage, California

Darrell Hotchkiss

January 29, 2020

It was a beautiful day in the neighborhood when Bill, Lorette, Billy and Tommy O'Rourke arrived in 1954 to walk the vacant lot next the Hotchkiss family's home on Wall Road. We could not have wished for better neighbors and lasting friends.

Then, I had only one sister. Over time, I was graced with four...and I suspect that all of them had a crush on the boys next door at one time or other. He was idolized for his amazing skill on the basketball court. I admired Bill in many ways: He was so thoughtful, well-mannered, even-tempered, and a good listener. He knew early on that he wanted to teach and to coach - and he did an exquisite job at both.

It's been about half a century since I lived next door to Bill. However, I'm really not able to think about "home" with thinking of Bill and his family.

I am sorry for all of our loss, especially Marsha's and Tom's. But how much more all of us would have lost even we didn't have Bill O'Rourke to lose.

Darrell HOtchkiss

Norman Turner

January 29, 2020

Very sorry to hear about this. Bill was a wonderful man, very gracious to all. He will be missed.

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